Dealing With Car Computers
Car Computers
OBD error messages
ECU
You
may have heard people say that “computers are all around us.” Hopefully
you’re not too paranoid about that, especially since it is true to a
certain extent. For example, you probably drove to work today with the
assistance of a little “computer” inside your engine. Today’s Technology
Tip is about the little computer in your car that keeps it running. More
importantly it's about how to handle those annoying “Check Engine Soon”
lights on your dash board.
Depending on the age, make and model of your
vehicle you probably have more than one computer in it
Controlling the engine is the ECU,
which stands for Engine Control Unit. This one is usually the most
expensive one to replace and it is designed to control the engine so you
can get optimum performance and efficiency out of it. Generally speaking,
the newer your car the more complex the ECU is. Compared to your desktop
computer however it’s pretty primitive. For example, your car’s ECU
probably has less than 1 MB of memory compared to the several Gigabytes
most new desktop computers come with. But that’s enough to run your
engine efficiently since the software is so much simpler. For more
information about your car’s computer check out this site:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-computer1.htm
For most of us, the most annoying thing your
car’s computer ever does is light up that “Check Engine Soon” light on the
dashboard. The ECU in your car includes software called OBD which
stands for On Board Diagnostics. This software constantly monitors your
engine for trouble signs or inefficiencies. When sensors detect problems
the “Check Engine Light” appears on your dashboard. Because engines that
run inefficiently pollute more, OBD software was mandated on all cars built
from 1987 on. Just for reference the original OBD software was upgraded
in 1996 and is now called OBD II. For more information about OBD
software check out this link:
http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/may2004/mech.cfm
Now for the really important question, how
do you get the “Check Engine Light” off? The light might turn on for any
or a number of reasons. Even though the technology is there for your new
car to verbally tell you what’s bothering it, you still probably have to
take it to a dealership or mechanic so they can plug it into a special OBD
reader and check what “error code” is causing the light to come on. This
“diagnostic test” usually costs $50-$100 and is about as complicated a
task as making toast. But since you don’t have the equipment at home, and
your car won’t just tell you what’s wrong with it, you’re stuck paying for
the diagnostic.
Well actually here’s another option. Many
autoparts stores have the OBD readers on site and they will do the
diagnostic test for you for free (AutoZone
is one such store for example). They can’t clear the code (get the light
to turn off) but they can tell you what the problem is (in hopes you’ll
buy a replacement part from them).
PRACTICE ACTIVITY:
No activity, just drive safely and efficiently home today with the
assistance of your car computer
TO KEEP ON LEARNING:
Even though you might not be interested in car computers right now you
probably will be if you have a problem with yours. When that day
comes you can find out more about car computers by searching the internet
for:
OBDCar Computers
OBD error messages
ECU
